Fieldwork Projects

SOAG has actively been engaged in fieldwork for many years from the excavation of paleolithic flints by the Thames to recording Cold War architecture. Projects can involve anything from simple excavation with a trowel to fieldwalking and landscape surveys using the latest geophysical techniques.
Our projects welcome both those who are new to archaeology and those with many years experience.

Roman Villa Excavation

Started in 1993, the excavation of the 3rd - 4th century villa is SOAG's longest running fieldwork project. The project is run by experienced archaeologists and volunteers, participating in field walking, geophysical surveys, excavation and post-excavation work. Beginners as well as experienced archaeologists are welcome.
See our dig guide and other villa pages for more details.
If you would like to take part or need any more information please contact Hazel at villa@soagarch.org.uk.

Sunday June 5th - end of October 2011Most Sundays from 10.30am to 4pm.

Summer break (no digging) on Sundays Aug 14th and 21st.
Broken Roman Pot

Bightwell Baldwin Community History and Archaeology Project (BBCHAP)

BBCHAP is a community based project being run in association with the South Oxfordshire Archaeological Group (SOAG). It is a long term research project, centred on the parish of Brightwell Baldwin but extending into the surrounding parishes.
See our BBCHAP project pages for more information or contact Ian at bbchap@soagarch.org.uk.

Sat 23rd July – Sun August 7th 2011
(excluding Sun July 31st)
Excavation on the manor house site in Brightwell Park
View into Trench

Search for the Lost Church of Bix Gibwyn

Operating on behalf of the Victoria County History Oxfordshire survey, SOAG is investigating the Medieval manorial centres at Bix Gibwyn and Bix Brand, in particular looking for evidence of the lost parish church of Bix Gibwyn.
See our Bix Gibwyn project pages for more information or contact David at bix@soagarch.org.uk.

No plans for 2011
Skeleton and Drawing Frame

Ancient Mound

A SOAG member spotted the mound in a Chilterns field in his youth in the early 1950s and discovered that it had been neither recorded nor studied. Personally convinced that it dated from the Bronze Age, starting in 2007 he organised a variety of geophysical and mapping surveys of the site in which many SOAG members have been involved.
See our Ancient Mound project pages  and for more information contact mound@soagarch.org.uk.

No plans yet for 2011
Group Photograph in Rain

Ewelme Hundred VCH project

Victoria County History (Oxfordshire) are currently researching the history of the parishes of the Ewelme Hundred. SOAG is a partner in this project.
See our Ewelme Hundred VCH project page for more information.

2011: no spaces available on remaining activitiesthis year
Group Photograph in Rain

Over the years SOAG has worked with many groups including professional archaeology units, VCH, Reading University, The National Trust and other local groups investigating South Oxfordshire's past. You will find many references to the work carried out by SOAG in a variety of journals and publications.

Note that all SOAG projects are covered by policies for Insurance, Child protection, and Health and Saftey